Reality in a Different Form

I stumbled upon Creations for Parkinson’s while searching for art galleries. It led me to this video from the Drax Files which is a couple of years old, but if you haven’t seen it, it’s worth watching.

Fran Seranade, 86 at the time of the video, said “My avatar represents how I truly feel inside.” That’s what I’ve been saying all along!

Barbie Alchemi, Fran’s daughter who made Creations For Parkinson’s, gives an awesome quote regarding the nature of the virtual world as well. “This is reality; it’s just reality in a different form.”

All money taken in from Creations For Parkinson’s is donated to the Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s. A great example of Second Life being used in a positive way, and a reminder that the nature of our virtual world is entirely up to us.

3 Comments

It just goes to show that considering SL to be a just a game or a even a virtual world is a gross over simplification – there are ways in which interacting with SL can have far reaching effects, emotionally, psychologically and even physically – whether this is simply some form of the placebo effect, or something of another order is open to debate, and this is a field that really needs to be explored more deeply. Indeed Fran and her daughter have actively played a part by working with neuropsychologists investigating the therapeutic value of virtual experiences.

I’ve always said that SL is an incredible enabler for those whose real lives can be challenging, and the more I see people who have benefited in that way, the more I believe it.